The progress which we as a collective have achieved this academic year rests on an indispensable foundation: constant improvement of the methodology of knowledge transmission. This improvement of the instruments of teaching must of necessary come about through innovation; and this innovation, through research. In this field, nothing is insignificant, and nothing too ambitious. From learning materials to the education of educators; from the improvement of the Virtual Campus to systems of evaluation; from the library to face-to-face meetings; from the support centres to the IN3; from technological quality to human quality: all are essential to the successful accomplishment of our mission. In the academic year 2000-2001 we have made very remarkable progress of a kind which consolidates us as a university. And this progress will stimulate yet further and greater progress.